Delayed Vaccination Schedules Are Just Asking for Trouble
Okay parents, we are re-opening the vaccinations debate. Are you ready? This time it's "shot-limited schedules." Researchers from the Oregon Health Authority say that more and more parents in Oregon are using alternative vaccination schedules
that reduce the number of shots their children receive at one time. In
other words, they're getting some of those shots on a delayed schedule.
This practice could be putting those children -- and their peers -- at greater risks for diseases.
And it's not just Oregon kids. I know that here in Brooklyn shot-limited schedules are very popular. Parents are trying to take back control over their kids' vaccinations. But do we really know enough to do that?
I know babies and toddlers get a LOT of shots. I was shocked every time I took my son in for a check-up. And did I ever hear it from the other parents, too. There's so much social pressure in my area to get all bossy with your pediatrician and demand a delayed schedule -- or even skipping some vaccinations altogether.
Our pediatrician won't hear of it. She's married to a researcher who studies diseases and vaccinations all day, every day -- and she's very serious about staying on schedule.
So -- am I just totally naive here? -- I trusted our pediatrician and went along with her crazy, mega-vaccination schedule. And now my son is eight and he's fine. That's just us, of course. It doesn't prove anything about anything. But I wonder about these shot-limiting schedules. Sure, there's all kinds of information on the Internet about the dangers of too many vaccinations at once. But how do you know who to trust?
I have a lot of crunchy mom friends who question western medicine. And I listen to them politely. And then I shrug and go along with the advice of the woman with the medical degree on her wall.
Have you tried a shot-limiting schedule?
yes, i limited them to getting none at all.
Quoting Cafe Amber:
Parents are trying to take back control over their kids' vaccinations. But do we really know enough to do that?
This attitude REALLY bothers me. The CDC prints on the schedule minimum and maximim spacing for shots. With a little research and a conversation w/ the ped it's really not that difficult. How have we gotten to a place where other people have some mysterious trick that makes them know better what's good for our kids. My son, and his health are ultimately my responsibility. I'm willing to learn whatever is needed to do my job well.
We opted for a delayed/selective schedule, that our ped is fine with. For instance, he will not get his first Hep B shot until he starts school, when there is actually a possible risk of him contracting the virus.
We don't vaccinate and the "advice from a woman with a medical degree on her wall" is always going to be to vaccinate. Doctors have to promote vaccines, it's part of their job.
Benefits of Teaching Your Baby Sign Language
Yellow soft drinks or dark?
- Cafe Amber
on Jun. 19, 2012 at 6:45 AM